Shrub rose plant named &#39;radcon&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plant is provided which forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis attractive single blossoms that are pink in coloration. The new variety is a spontaneous mutation of unknown causation of the ‘Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836) that forms vivid red single blossoms. The vegetation is vigorous and the growth habit is compact and mounding. Attractive ornamental satiny green foliage is formed. Excellent disease resistance to blackspot is exhibited. The new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

[0001]Rosa hybrida/Shrub Rose Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0002] cv. ‘Radcon’

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The new variety of Rosa hybrida landscape shrub rose plant of thepresent invention was discovered during March, 2001 while growing amonga block of rose plants of the “Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No.11,836) growing in a nursery setting at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A. I wasattracted to the new variety primarily because of its distinctive pinkblossom coloration that was unlike that of the parental variety. The newvariety is believed to be a spontaneous naturally-occurring mutation ofthe ‘Radrazz’ variety of unknown causation. Had I not discovered andpreserved the original plant of the new variety it would have been lostto mankind.

[0004] It was found that the new variety of landscape shrub rose plantof the present invention possesses the following combination ofcharacteristics:

[0005] (a) abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractivesingle blossoms that are pink in coloration unlike the vivid redblossoms of the ‘Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836),

[0006] (b) exhibits a compact and mounding growth habit,

[0007] (c) forms vigorous vegetation,

[0008] (d) forms attractive ornamental green foliage with a satinyfinish, and

[0009] (e) exhibits excellent resistance to blackspot.

[0010] The new rose variety has attractive pink blooms, combined with apropensity for everblooming and blackspot resistance. The blooming cyclecorresponds closely to that of the ‘Radrazz’ parental variety.

[0011] The new variety of the present invention can be readilydistinguished from the parental ‘Radrazz’ variety through an inspectionof the blossoms. More specifically, the new variety displays singleblossoms that are pink in coloration rather than vivid red as aredisplayed by the ‘Radrazz’ variety.

[0012] The new variety well meets the needs of the horticulturalindustry. It can be grown to advantage as attractive ornamentation inparks, gardens, public areas, and residential landscapes. Accordingly,it is particularly well suited for growing throughout the landscape. Thepink blossoms contrast nicely with the satiny green foliage.

[0013] The characteristics of the new variety have been found at WestGrove, Pa., U.S.A., and at Wasco, Calif., U.S.A., to be homogeneous andstable and are strictly transmissible by asexual propagation such asbudding, grafting, and the use of cuttings from one generation toanother.

[0014] The new variety has been named the ‘Radcon’ variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0015] The accompanying photograph shows, as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of thischaracter, a typical specimen of the flower of the new variety as wellas a typical specimen of the flower of the parental ‘Radrazz’ variety.The rose plant from which the flowers were obtained were approximatelytwo years of age and were grown in the ground outdoors on their ownroots during September at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates specimens of open flowers — plan view — obverse— with the flower of the new ‘Radcon’ variety being displayed on theright and the flower of the ‘Radrazz’ variety being displayed on theleft. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the bottom of thephotograph.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The chart used in the identification of colors is that of TheRoyal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart). The description isbased on approximately two year-old specimens of the new variety duringSeptember while grown in the ground outdoors on their own roots at WestGrove, Pa., U.S.A.

[0018] Class: Landscape Shrub Rose.

[0019] Plant:

[0020]Height.—approximately 50 to 75 cm on average at the end of thegrowing season.

[0021]Width.—approximately 75 to 100 cm on average at the end of thegrowing season.

[0022]Habit.—compact, round, and bushy.

[0023] Branches:

[0024]Color.—young stems: near Yellow-Green Group 144C.

[0025] Leaves:

[0026]Leaflets.—number: 3, 5, and 7. — shape: ovate with a serrulatemargin, rounded base, and acuminate tip. — size: approximately 7 cm inlength on average. — serration: fine. — texture: smooth. — overallappearance: very dense, leathery, and medium green in coloration, with alight satiny finish on the ventral surface. — color (adult foliage):upper surface: Green Group 136B to Yellow-Green Group 147B.

[0027] Inflorescence:

[0028]Number of flowers.—commonly approximately 3 to 4 blooms on averagein a cluster.

[0029]Flower.—form: single and informal. — diameter: approximately 6 cm.on average. — color (when blooming): upper surface: near Red Group 48D.— fragrance: faint. — petal form: wedge-shaped with a curled apex. —petal number: approximately 12 on average. — lasting quality: commonlyapproximately two weeks on the plant. — petal drop: very good with thepetals commonly dropping cleanly and freely.

[0030] Development:

[0031]Vegetation.—vigorous and strong.

[0032]Blossoming.—abundant and substantially continuous.

[0033]Resistance to diseases.—excellent with respect to rose blackspot.

[0034]Propensity to form hips.—none observed to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of landscape shrub rose plantcharacterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a)abundantly and substantially continuously forms attractive singleblossoms that are pink in coloration unlike the vivid red blossoms ofthe “Radrazz’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,836), (b) exhibits acompact and mounding growth habit, (c) forms vigorous vegetation, (d)forms attractive ornamental green foliage with a satiny finish, and (e)exhibits excellent resistance to blackspot; substantially as hereinshown and described.